Flexible web dispenser



March 1966 J. Dl DOMENICO ETAL 3,237,827

FLEXIBLE WEB DISPENSER Filed Oct. 12, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fizz/anions:rfosgvh fliflamerzico, Bank MeZZz'on, J M Y W Att,

United States Patent 3,237,827 FLEXIBLE WEB DISPENSER Joseph Di Domenicoand Frank Mellion, Providence,

R.I., assignors to Jo-Dee Corp., Warwick, R.I., a corporation of RhodeIsland Filed Oct. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 403,169 9 Claims. (Cl. 22542) Thepresent invention relates to a device for dispensing a flexible web.More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible webdispenser that includes an enclosed container in which a roll on whichthe web is wound is located, the container being received in mountingbrackets in the dispensing position thereof, but being readily removablefrom the mounting brackets for replacement or insertion of a rolltherein as required.

The present invention has particular application in the dispensing of aflexible web in predetermined sheets and is contemplated for use in thehome or wherever dispensing of Web materials such as waxed paper,aluminum foil, plastic Wrapping, or the like is required. The dispensingdevice of the present invention includes a container that is defined bya pair of complementary sections that are hingedly joined along alongitudinal edge thereof. The edges of the sections opposite to thehinged edges thereof define a slot through which the web of materialextends for the dispensing thereof. In order to mount the container inposition, a pair of mounting brackets are provided, each of which isformed with a non-circular opening therein. The container sections areformed with extensions on the end walls thereof, the adjacent extensionsformed on each section end wall cooperating to define non-circularprojections that are received within the non-circular openings in thebrackets. Since a part of each projection is joined to the end wall of asection, the container is mounted between the brackets in closedposition wherein the sections thereof are located in interlockedrelation.

The web dispenser of the present invention further includes an outwardlyextending shelf on which a serrated edge is formed, the serrated edgedefining a cutting edge for severing the web in sheets of predeterminedlengths as it is dispensed from the container. In order to properlyposition the web for the severing thereof, a guide strip is joined tothe shelf adjacent to the dispensing slot and guides the web from theslot over the serrated edge. The guide strip thus cooperates with theserrated edge to enable the person removing the web from the dispensingdevice to easily sever the web to the required length.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a devicefor dispensing a flexible web that includes an enclosed container thatis mounted in position between spaced brackets, the brackets cooperatingto mount the container in a closed position for retaining the web inrolled form therein.

Still another object is to provide a web dispenser that includes a pairof complementary sections that are hingedly connected together to definea container for a roll on which the web is wound.

Still another object is to provide a web dispenser that includes acontainer defined by complementary sections, the sections being formedwith extensions that cooperate to define non-circular projections thatinterfit in non-circular openings formed in mounting brackets.

Still another object is to provide a dispensing device for a flexibleweb that includes means for severing the web as it is dispensed from thecontainer therefor, and that further includes means for positioning theweb during the severing operation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings. 7

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the dispensing device embodied in thepresent invention showing one position of the use thereof;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the web dispensing deviceillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side eelvational view of the dispensing device;

FIG. 4 is a sectional View taken along lines 44 in FIG. 2, one of thesections of the container of the device being shown in dotted lines inthe open position thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines S5 but showing only afragment of the container illustrated.

Referring now to the drawings, the dispensing device embodied in thepresent invention is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. Aswill be described, the dispensing device is shown mounted in aparticular position for use; however it will be understood that thedispensing device may be mounted in various ways, the position ofmounting depending upon the manner of use thereof. It is furthercontemplated that the materials from which the dispensing device 10 isfabricated may be of a transparent plastic or of a plastic materialprovided with a suitable pigment that adds ornamentation to the device.As illustrated in the drawings, the materials are indicated as being ofa plastic material, although the transparency thereof is not soindicated.

For purposes of the description of the invention as illustrated in thedrawing, the dispensing device10 is mounted on a mounting plate 12 thatis disposed in a generally vertical position. The mounting plate 12 isprovided with spaced slots that are located at the lowermost endsthereof and adjacent the side edges thereof, the spaced slotsinterfitting with similar slots formed in spaced apart feet 14. The feet14 thus cooperate with the vertical mounting plate 12 to locate thedispensing device 10 in a position of use as will now be described.

Fixed to the mounting plate 12 are a pair of spaced brackets 16 each ofwhich is formed with an inturned flange 18. The flanges 18 abut theadjacent surface of the mounting plate 12 and are secured thereto bysuitable bolts or the like. Formed in each of mounting brackets 16 is anopening 20 that is non-circular in configuration, this configurationbeing square as illustrated, although it is understood that othernon-circular shapes may be utilized. Mounted in the brackets 16 andlocated therebetween is a holder or container generally indicated at 22that is adapted to contain therein a roll of flexible web material. Asseen in FIG. 4, the container 22 is defined by complementary sections 24and 26 that in interfitted relation define a closed cylinder ofhexagonal configura tion when viewed in cross section. The sections 24and 26 are substantially identically formed, each including three equalsides and cooperating with the other section to form the hexagonalshaped cylinder. Since the sections 24 and 26 must necessarily bemovable to an open position for the depositing or replacing of a roll ofweb material therein, the longitudinal edge thereof located adjacent tothe mounting plate 12 are joined to a plurality of hinges indicated at28. By providing the hinge axis of the container in the manner asillustrated, the section 24 may be pivotally moved to the position asillustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 4 for replacing a roll of webmaterial therein, such roll being indicated at in FIG. 4. It isunderstood, of course, that the hinge members 28 are only illustrativeof hinge means that may be attached to the sections 24 and 26; othertypes of hinge members being capable of use with the container withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention.

It is noted that the configuration of the container 22 as defined by thecomplementary sections 24 and 26 is such as to receive the roll 30therein with suflicient room to provide for rotation of the roll duringthe dispensing of the web material therefrom. It has been found that thehexagon-a1 configuration of the container 22, as illustrated, is themost practical configuration since suflicient surface area is providedagainst which the roll 30 engages as it rotates during the dispensing ofthe web therefrom. In order to remove the web material from thecontainer 22, the adjacent edges of the sections 24 and 26 that areopposite to the hinge axis are formed with cut out portions 32 and 34,as seen in FIG. 2, to define a dispensing slot 36. As will be furtherdescribed hereinafter, additional means are provided for guiding the weboutwardly of the container 22 for the severing of the web during thedispensing operation.

When the container 22 is located in the dispensing position thereof, thesections 24 and 26 must necessarily be closed and locked together. Forthis purpose, the container is provided with end projections that have aconfiguration generally corresponding to the configuration of theopenings 20 formed in the mounting brackets 16. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4and 5, both ends of the container sections 24 and 26 are shown includingend walls 38 and 40 respectively. Joined to the end walls 38 of thesection 24 are extensions 42 while similar extensions 44 are joined tothe end walls 40 of the section 26. The extensions 42 and 44 are locatedat the abutting edges of the end walls 38 and 40. Thus, when thesections 24 and 26 are disposed in the closed position thereof, theextensions 42 and 44 are located in abutting relation and defineprojections that extend outwardly of the end walls of the container.These projections as defined by extensions 42 and 44, as previouslydescribed, have a configuration that corresponds to the configuration ofthe openings 20 formed in the mounting brackets 16. Hence, the container22 may be easily mounted in position between the brackets 16 byinserting the projections formed by the extensions 42 and 44 into theopenings 20. The brackets 16 are spaced apart such that they will bedisposed in close fitting relation with respect to the end walls of thecontainer 22 when the container 22 is mounted therebetween. Therefore,one or both of the brackets 16 may be sprung outwardly to enable thecontainer 22 to be interfitted between the brackets, the brackets thenbeing released for snapping to the locked posit-ion thereof, wherein theprojections interfit in the openings 20. Referring to FIG. 1, thetechnique of the mounting of the container 22 is illustrated by thelocation of the brackets 16 in dotted lines. Thus as described, when thecontainer 22 is to be mounted between the brackets 16, the brackets aresprung outwardly to receive the container 22 therebetween. It isunderstood that once the container 22 is located in the mounted positionthereof and the projections defined by the extensions 42 and 44 aredisposed in the openings 20, the sections 24 and 26 will be located inlocked position, thereby securing the roll 30 within the container 22.Relative movement of the container 22 with respect to the brackets 16 isalso prevented because of the inter-fitting of the non-circularprojections into the similarly formed non-circular openings 20.

In order to properly dispense the web material wound on the roll 30, ashelf 46 is provided and extends outwardly of the section 26 andadjacent to the slot 36. The shelf 46 extends substantially the lengthof the container 22 and is supported in position by a plurality oftriangular web sections 48 that are also joined to the section 26.Formed on the outermost edge of the shelf 46 are a plurality ofserartions 50 that define a cutting edge for severing the web when ashearing force is applied thereto. As further shown in FIG, 4, a guidestrip 52 i j ined to the shelf 46 and extends in perpendicu ar relationwith respect thereto so as to guide the web toward the serrated edge 50at the proper angle for serrating the web. It is seen that the web maybe dispensed from the container 22 by exerting a pulling action thereonso as to obtain the required length of material needed. The web may thenbe forced over the serrated edge 50 and a shearing force applied theretoto cut the web as required. When it is necessary to replace the roll 30after the complete dispensing of the web material therefrom, thecontainer 22 is removed from the mounted position thereof by springingthe brackets 16 outwardly so as to release the projections from theopenings 20 therein. The sections 24 and 26 may then be parted orhingedly moved to an open position to expose the roll 30 for the removalthereof from the container.

It is understood that the mounting plate 12 may be eliminated if sodesired and the mounting brackets 16 secured to the underside of ahorizontal plate such as the bottom shelf of a kitchen cabinet. Thispositioning of the brackets 16 would place the dispensing device suchthat the shelf 46 would extend in a vertical direction. However, the webwould still be removed from the container through the slot 36 in themanner as just described, and severed on the serrations 50 of the shelf46 as required.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept, and that the same is not limited to the particular form-sherein shown and described, except, insofar as indicated by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for dispensing a flexible web, a base, a pair of mountingbrackets joined to said base in spaced apart relation thereon, saidbrackets having non-circular openings formed therein, and a containersecured between said brackets for retaining a roll of the flexible webto be dispensed, said container including a pair of complementarysections that are hingedly connected together to define an enclosedchamber therebetween in which said roll is received, the edges of saidsections opposite to the hinge axis thereof being separated to define aslot through which the web extends for the dispensing thereof, the endwalls of each of said sections having extensions formed thereon thatcooperate to define non-circular projections having a configurationsimilar to said noncircular openings, said projections extending intosaid non-circular openings for securing said sections together and formounting said container on said brackets in nonrotating relation.

2. In a device for dispensing a flexible web, a container for a roll onwhich the web is wound, said container including a pair of elongatedsections that are hingedly joined together along an adjoining elongatededge thereof, and that cooperate to define an enclosure for said roll,the edges of said sections that are opposite to the hinge axis thereofbeing separated to define a slot through which the web extends for thedispensing thereof, said sections being formed with abutting end wallsto which extensions are joined, the extensions at each end of saidcontainer cooperating to define a non-circular projection, and bracketsfor mounting said container in a dispensing position, each of saidbrackets having a non-circular opening formed therein into which aprojection extends for mounting said container on said brackets and forlocking said sections in the closed position thereof.

3. In a device for dispensing a flexible web from a roll, a housing forreceiving said roll therein, said housing being defined by complementarysections that are hinged along longitudinal edges thereof and that arelocated in edge-to-edge abutting relation, said sections including endwalls to which extensions are joined, the extensions cooperating todefine non-circular projections, and braclc,

ets between which said housing is mounted, said brackets havingnon-circular openings formed therein through which the non-circularprojections extend for mounting said housing in position and for lockingthe sections of the housing together in the closed position thereof.

4. In a device for dispensing a flexible web from a roll, an elongated,enclosed container for receiving said roll therein, said containerincluding a pair of complementary sections that are hingedly connectedalong one longitudinal edge and that define a slot on the otherlongitudinal edge opposed to the hinged edge and through which said webextends, said sections including end walls to which extensions arejoined that define mounting elements for said container, and mountingbrackets between which said container is mounted and including means forreceiving said mounting elements therein, wherein said container ismounted in fixed closed position with the sections thereof beingdisposed in interlocked relation.

5. In a device as set forth in claim 4, the extension on the end wall ofeach section cooperating with an adjacent extension to define anon-circular projection therewith, each of said brackets having anon-circular opening formed therein that receives a projection therein,wherein said sections are located in interlocked relation in saidbrackets.

6. In a device as set forth in claim 5, a shelf joined to one of saidsections adjacent to said slot and extending substantially the length ofsaid container, the outermost edge of said shelf being serrated todefine a cutting edge for severing the web in predetermined lengths asit is dispensed from said container.

7. In a device as set forth in claim 6, a guide strip joined to saidshelf and extending in perpendicular relation with respect thereto, saidguide strip being located adjacent to said slot for guiding the web asit is removed from the container to the serrated edge of said shelf,wherein the web is properly positioned for severing by said serratededge when a shearing force is applied thereto.

8. In a device for dispensing a flexible Web from a roll, an elongatedcontainer for receiving said roll therein, said container including apair of complementary sections that interengage to define an enclosurefor said roll, a slot being formed in said container through which saidWeb extends for the dispensing thereof, said sections including endwalls to which extensions are joined that define mounting elements forsaid container, and mounting brackets between which said container ismounted and including means for receiving said mounting elementstherein, said receiving means being defined by noncircular openings thathave a configuration similar to the cross-sectional configuration ofsaid mounting elements, wherein said container is mounted in fixedclosed position, the sections thereof being disposed in interlockedrelation.

9. In a device as set forth in claim 8, a shelf joined to one of saidsections adjacent to said slot and extending substantially the length ofsaid container, the outermost edge of said shelf being serrated todefine a cutting edge, and a guide strip joined to said shelf and beinglocated adjacent to said slot for guiding the web as it is removed fromthe container to the serrated edge of said shelf, wherein the web isproperly positioned for severing by said serrated edge intopredetermined lengths when a shearing force is applied thereto.

No references cited.

WILLIAM W. DYER, 1a., Primary Examiner.

1. IN A DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A FLEXIBLE WEB, A BASE, A PAIR OF MOUNTINGBRACKETS JOINED TO SAID BASE IN SPACED APART RELATION THEREON, SAIDBRACKETS HAVING NON-CIRCULAR OPENINGS FORMED THEREIN, AND A CONTAINERSECURED BETWEEN SAID BRACKETS FOR RETAINING A ROLL OF THE FLEXIBLE WEBTO BE DISPENSED, SAID CONTAINER INCLUDING A PAIR OF COMPLEMENTARYSECTIONS THAT ARE HINGEDLY CONNECTED TOGETHER TO DEFINE AN ENCLOSEDCHAMBER THEREBETWEEN IN WHICH SAID ROLL IS RECEIVED, THE EDGES OF SAIDSECTIONS OPPOSITE TO THE HINGE AXIS THEREROF BEING SEPARATED TO DEFINE ASLOT THROUGH